Polio immunization not intended to depopulate north –Suswam

Category: News Published on Monday, 11 February 2013 05:00 Written by Hope Abah, Makurdi

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has described as, “mischievous and ill-misconceived” the notion by people in certain quarters that the polio immunization campaign is intended to depopulate the Northern region.

The governor, who urged parents to disregard the erroneous notion at the weekend during the flag-off of this year’s polio eradication campaign at Ugba town in Logo Local Government Area, said his administration is committed towards a healthier community.

“It is highly mischievous and should be taken as such. It is a misconception that the polio immunization is an attempt to depopulate the Northern region”, he stated.

Suswam further charged the people to secure the future of their children by ensuring that they are immunized against polio, stressing that the disease portends a serious danger to the future of the country if nothing is done to eradicate it.

Earlier, Executive Director of National Public Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Mohammad, expressed satisfaction with the polio-free status of the state.

He however enjoined everyone in the state to sustain the fight against the virus so that it does not resurface.

“The virus has the tendency of resurfacing, therefore, we must not relax but sustain the polio free status of Benue State”, he said.